The Government of Tanzania is continuing to scale up its efforts to expand access to clean cooking energy and reliable electricity across the country, with a strong focus on improving the lives of citizens, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
The initiatives are part of the implementation of the Ministry of Energy budget for the 2026/2027 financial year.
Deputy Minister for Energy, Salome Makamba, told Parliament in Dodoma on April 23, 2026, that the government is committed to ensuring that energy reforms directly translate into improved livelihoods for ordinary Tanzanians.
She said the clean cooking energy agenda, spearheaded by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, remains a national priority aimed at protecting public health, reducing environmental damage, and promoting sustainable development.
The government targets to ensure that at least 80 percent of Tanzanians use clean cooking energy by 2034.
According to Makamba, the country has already made significant progress. The use of clean cooking energy has increased from 6.9 percent in 2021 to more than 28 percent currently, reflecting growing awareness among citizens and expanded government investment in modern energy solutions.
She explained that this progress is being driven by improved availability of clean energy products and infrastructure across the country.
So far, the government has laid more than 56.4 kilometers of natural gas pipelines to support wider distribution of clean energy.
In addition, over 300,000 gas cylinders have been distributed to households, along with more than 49,000 gas cookers and over 7,000 electric cookers. More than 55 public institutions have also been equipped with clean cooking systems, with plans to reach over 400 institutions in the next phase.
Makamba emphasized that this transition is helping citizens reduce reliance on firewood and charcoal, which are not only harmful to health due to smoke exposure but also contribute to deforestation and environmental degradation.
She said the shift to clean energy is therefore both a health and environmental solution for the country.
On electricity access, the Deputy Minister said the government is accelerating rural electrification projects to ensure no community is left behind.
She revealed that out of 143 islands in Tanzania, more than 120 have already been connected to solar power systems under a government subsidy ranging between 45 and 75 percent.
She said this intervention is transforming daily life for citizens in remote areas by improving access to lighting, supporting small businesses, and strengthening essential services such as education and healthcare.
Makamba added that the use of solar energy is helping to replace unsafe energy sources such as kerosene lamps, commonly used in rural communities, which pose both health and fire risks.
She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continuing investments in clean energy and rural electricity projects, saying these efforts are designed to ensure that every Tanzanian benefits from reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy.
According to her, the energy sector remains a key driver of national development, supporting economic growth, industrialization, and job creation.
She said the government will continue working with partners to expand energy infrastructure and ensure that citizens fully benefit from ongoing reforms.
Overall, the initiatives are expected to improve living standards, reduce environmental pressure, and accelerate Tanzania’s transition towards modern and sustainable energy systems that serve both present and future generations.
